Hurlers out on top after seeing off Armagh

Tyrone 2-21

Armagh1-14

By Alan Rodgers

A FLYING finish to the first half, combined with a great goal from Rory Weir, made all the difference as the Tyrone hurlers scored a crucial derby victory over Armagh in thisNHL Division 3A top of the table clash last Sunday in Carrickmore.

Weir’s first goal gave Tyrone a 1-10 to 0-7 half-time lead. But it took a late flourish, including a goal from CJ McGourty, to finally extinguished an Orchard county challenge severely undermined by 15 wides.

There was little room for error as both teams sought to settle at Pairc Eire Og. It was score-for-score for most of the first half, as the Red Hands worked hard to make their mark.

The Red Hands edged ahead on several occasions. Conor Grogan opened the scoring in the first minute, before Dean and Ryan Gaffney responded to leave Armagh 0-3 to 0-2 in front. The coming period produced more of the same, as Damien Casey twice put Tyrone ahead, only to be pegged back as Odhran Curry raced through for Armagh and then Dean Gaffney brought them level.

However, Armagh were largely dominating the possession as that first quarter developed. Shea Gaffney, Odhran Curry and Paddy McBride were to the fore. Once again, though, their main difficulty was in front of goal, where wide-after-wide caused concern for them.

All of that meant Tyrone were poised to make their mark at the other end, and they reserved their best attacking efforts for the closing minutes of that first half. Conor Grogan raced through to tap over, before CJ McGourty made good use of space to win the breaking ball and send Tyrone 0-7 to 0-5 ahead.

While Armagh were quickly back on terms thanks to Eoin McGuinness, the confidence of the Red Hands was increasing and they were soon enjoying a lead that left them nicely positioned at the half-time break.

One of the points of the half saw Dermot Begley and Oran McKee combine to set up Chris Kearns who fired over. Then came the opening goal which saw Rory Weir fire home in magnificent fashion after a strong run through by Aidan Kelly.

That goal left them 1-9 to 0-7 ahead, and there was no doubting their satisfaction when Weir popped up again moments later. His point, with virtually the last puck of that first half, left Tyrone 1-10 to 0-7 ahead and well-placed to consolidate their advantages on the resumption.

Points in quick succession early in the second half from Damian Casey further consolidated the Tyrone advantage.

But their hopes of making more progress were to be dashed subsequently as the league leaders responded with determination and resolve. A free from sub Fionntan Donnelly got them going, and they were soon celebrating a goal as well.

Just eight minutes into that second half, the Orchard county were right back in contention. After the Tyrone defence failed to clear an attack, Jim Shortt pulled to the bottom corner of the net. That left them now only four points behind, 1-12 to 1-8, and it really was game on.

That lead was reduced to three by Eoin McGuinness. Tyrone looked to be struggling, and needed an urgent response to settle things again.

Anthony Crossan, Dean Rafferty and Dermot Begley worked hard to win possession around the centre. Damien Casey fired over two frees, but all the indications were that this tie was set to be in the balance right to the finish.

A swapped brace of scores between Damian Casey and Jim Shortt increased the totals of both counties. However, Tyrone were weathering the storm, and a sublime point over the shoulder from CJ McGourty heralded the start of a decisive period for the Red Hands.

The final 10 minutes or so saw them really take control, and with it the victory that they yearned for. Key moments during that spell made a huge difference, none more so than a tremendous save from goalkeeper, Conor McElhatton.

Aidan Kelly fired over a well-taken point, as the determination and accuracy of Damian Casey also proved crucial. Tyrone hit 1-5 to Armagh’s 0-2 during those closing stages, with a marvellous performance being capped by a late goal from CJ McGourty which gave them breathing space right at the end.